I am thinking about getting a new car, would anyone like my old one? She's been a wonderful companion through the years, but I admit that I have abused her a bit. She needs some TLC, and I just don't have the time to give it to her: she was rear-ended a couple of years ago, which never got fixed, and she was bumped into up in SF a few months ago, and now her trunk doesn't close (it's tied shut with rope at the moment). She also hasn't had a tune-up in more than a year, and almost certainly has things wrong with her, though she's been running reliably. She doesn't have AC, and her Washington plates are about to expire and she needs to be registered in CA. She would be a lovely, reliable car with a those few things fixed.

I don't have it in me to sell a car that I know isn't in great shape, and if I had time to fix her I'd keep her, so I think I'd like to just give her away to a loving home that will put some money into her and make her beautiful again. Anyone interested?

She comes chock-full of tiki memories... she's been to two Tiki Oases, has a Bamboo Ben sticker lovingly applied by Ben himself, Tiki-Bot tied that rope around her trunk, she was the star of the Zombie Tasting at this year's Oasis (there are lots of pics of her in this album of the tasting), and she's been in countless tiki bar parking lots over the years. She's been wonderful, and has great potential.

"...she was rear-ended a couple of years ago...she was bumped into up in SF a few months ago, and now her trunk doesn't close (it's tied shut with rope at the moment). She also hasn't had a tune-up in more than a year, and almost certainly has things wrong with her...She doesn't have AC, and her Washington plates are about to expire and she needs to be registered in CA..."

Though I have a hard time passing up free stuff (especially a car!) it sounds like Tiki-Toa is truly in need of such an opportunity. My vote goes to him. (Besides I can't drive a stick to save my life.)

I've got to emphasize that this car is not free. She's free from the standpoint that I am giving her away for free, but there will be costs associated with ownership of this car. She's been running well, but is *definitely* not up for any long trips until after she's been taken in for a check-up, and you can bet that there will be all sorts of things needed. In all those miles, she's has never had anything more major than a brake pad change, something major has *got* to be due. She was starting pretty rough this past winter (that's a Southern California winter, mind you--it wasn't cold) and then she evened back out a bit. Lately, her check engine light has been coming on every now and then, and her clutch feels a little soft.

I think it's a great deal for someone local who wants a little project or wants to put a bit of dough in her. I'm not comfortable with anyone flying out here, taking her sight-unseen, and then having to have who-knows-what work done on her before being able to drive her home.

Toa, if your wife would really like a Miata, I would suggest looking locally--they're surprisingly affordable cars, and they're extremely reliable--after all, mine *is* still running (for now, anyway) despite horrible neglect on my part. For what the airfare, hotel and gas money and repairs would cost to come out here and get her, you could probably just buy one.

Gigantalope -- that's a great suggestion! What a lovely way to put her out to pasture. If a local tikiphile can't take her, I may go that route.

Humu, that's so nice of you. But there are a lot of charities that you can donate your car to. You will get a nice tax deduction too.
I'm also at a point with my POS car where I need to fix several things or get a new car. Money's tight until next year unless I get some child support any time this year (yea right!)
Another option-Demolition Derby!
Good Luck!